Chaparral tanks question

BG19 · 08-13-2018, 05:38 PM

Do any of you have a Chaparral MBL392? We just recently purchased a 2017 pre-owned model. Loving it. Learning a lot as this is our 1st 5th wheel. Had a TT prior to this one.

Published specs indicate it has an 85 gallon gray capacity / 45 gal black capacity. Supposedly has one gray & one black. However, the panel has indicator lights for 2 gray and 2 black tanks. I'm not really sure how many tanks we have.... have not check panel indicators after emptying. I don't see additional dumping ports below. Thoughts? Thanks for sharing. BG

SeaDog · 08-14-2018, 07:36 AM

Welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. In the brochure for your rig the pics show three dump valves, so I would assume two of those are gray.

BG19 · 08-14-2018, 12:17 PM

Thanks for your reply. However, my actual MBL392 only has 2 valve handles in the control compartment... so I'm guessing that would be my answer? I'm wondering if it is possible to have 2 gray tanks and only one valve handle for the both... then 2 black tanks with the same situation... one handle for the 2.

SeaDog · 08-14-2018, 12:33 PM

given the size of the black I would say it is one tank. they may have interconnected two gray tanks to one dump with that said I have not seen that before but I'm sure someone on the forum will have an answer.

BG19 · 08-14-2018, 12:59 PM

Thx Seadog

T1545jh · 08-16-2018, 01:28 PM

I have 360ibl, but I'm pretty sure you have 1 black, 1 grey, and 1 galley. The grey and the galley have a pipe connecting from the top of one to the top of the other. This allows water to flow from one to the other if one becomes full. The two valves in the "water closet" are the black and grey. Your galley valve handle is under the coach just in front of the front tire. You have to get down and look up under the skirting to see it. The galley tank is for the kitchen and outside kitchen sinks. The gray tank is for the shower, bathroom sink and washer/dryer.

BG19 · 08-16-2018, 01:48 PM

So it sounds like I would need to connect a dump hose directly to the galley gray tank in order to dump that specific tank? Thx so much for your help

chaps2018 · 08-16-2018, 01:54 PM

On the 360ibl there is just one dump pipe to connect the hose. As mentioned above there are three valves that feed it.

I suspect yours is the same.

BG19 · 08-16-2018, 01:58 PM

Now I understand... when you used the term "valve" I was thinking drainage connection. I understand now. You're saying that the third "valve/ handle" is below near the front wheel. I will take a look when I'm over where I store it and update you all. Thx again

chaps2018 · 08-16-2018, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T1545jh

...The grey and the galley have a pipe connecting from the top of one to the top of the other. This allows water to flow from one to the other if one becomes full...

This is pretty cool. Did have you seen the interconnected tanks? I have not.

When we first got our rig, I tested how many showers we could get on one gray tank. When the shower gray tank was full (panel lights) I heard it periodically gurgle and was not sure what the cause was. It could have been the transfer you describe.

I got nervous about overflow and dumped the tank (12 showers).

It would be great to know if they are designed to overflow.

T1545jh · 08-16-2018, 02:48 PM

You can transfer grey water from tank to tank (grey to galley) on any camper as long as they both drain out of a single dump connection. I did this frequently on my previous 5th wheel. It did not have a connecting pipe between tanks like the chaparrals do. To do this I would install an external twist on blade valve where my sewer hose connects (I think they are around $25) and put the cap back on. Then you can just pull both the grey valve and galley valve at the same time. The water from the full tank will then travel through your drain pipe to where you installed the external blade valve and be force back up into the empty tank. Keep in my mind this will take some time and the tanks will only equalize to the same levels, but it basically doubles your grey capacity by utilizing both tanks. Also you can do this without the external blade valve by just leaving the sewer connection cap on and pulling both valves, but you will have a mess when you take the cap off later to connect your sewer hose at the dump station. Also don't forget to close the valves before you disconnect the external blade valve, remove the cap (if you chose not to use the external valve) or before you dump the black.

BG19 · 08-16-2018, 04:06 PM

You guys are magicians! I'm learning!

BG19 · 08-16-2018, 06:32 PM

UPDATE. I just went to check my 5th wheel. Yes, my 5th wheel has a 2nd gray tank valve/handle underneath just in front of the front tire. In fact it is even labeled "liquid waste". Also, the panel shows gray tank #1 as empty and #2 as full. So we'll be dumping soon! Thx for everyone's input.

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